About

Improving Our Local Communities

Innovators in Our Community (IOC) brings together community leaders to support social entrepreneurs in Southern California.

Who is a social entrepreneur?

An entrepreneur – a person or group – that is creating a venture (non-profit or for-profit) that is trying to solve a social problem. With IOC, community leaders fulfill the same role as investors by giving social entrepreneurs time and funding to launch new enterprises, as well as mentoring to guide them through the launch and growth cycle. IOC is designed to help social enterprises reach escape velocity and run sustainably.

Do you have a social venture that needs guidance and support?

Are you a social entrepreneur? Do you have an idea that can improve our community and help the people that live here? The experienced team at IOC understands the challenges and roadblocks that new ventures face. These challenges can be daunting and at times overwhelming but the IOC team is here to help. If you’re ready to make a difference, to make your idea a reality or take it to the next level – IOC wants to hear from you. Complete the online application today and let’s get busy!

Interested in becoming an IOC community leader?

The IOC organization is streamlined so that funding and efforts will go to the social enterprises that are being supported. IOC is starting out with ten members and its goal is to have 30 members. While at first IOC will be entirely volunteer driven, it will hire a full-time executive director as financing permits. Each member will contribute $5,000 per year, which will be used as seed money to help the young companies and non-profits. IOC is not just looking for donors; it is looking for donors who will also make the time commitment as mentors. Interested in joining us? Drop us a note and we can get the conversation started!